Page 73 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
Lexi’s simple “That’s not why I came” had Bronte choking up again.
“Thank you for coming all this way,” she mumbled into Lexi’s shoulder, finally feeling the tears subside.
“Of course.” With one more squeeze, Lexi released her and took a step back. “Now. I’m not sure about you, but I’m starving. I know you have a book to write, but why don’t we go get something to eat?”
Bronte’s stomach grumbled as if it were agreeing with Lexi. Now that Bronte thought about it, she wasn’t sure when she’d last had real food. The sour gummies and microwaved popcorn had maybe kept something in her belly, but it hadn’t been enough. A pain shot through her heart as she remembered Jonah making sure she ate while she worked. She nodded to answer Lexi, but also to try and shake the memories away.
Lexi scrunched her face. “You should probably take a shower first.”
Bronte laughed. “You’re a good friend, Lexi.”
“Of course I am. Now, go shower so we can get out of here and you can get back to work as a human. I’m going to unpack.”
Bronte allowed herself to be pushed toward her own room, a smile on her face. She hadn’t realized the heaviness she’d felt on her chest at the weight of her unconfessed love. But being able to tell Lexi—and Lexi not thinking she had lost her mind—made Bronte feel lighter. Maybe she would be able to salvage some of her broken heart after all.
* * *
Lexi had been right. Bronte did feel more like a human after having a shower and eating real food. Bronte had taken Lexi to Hideaway, her favorite pizza place on Cherry Street.
Turned out, when there was food in her belly and a friend by her side, she could write a lot faster. Bronte generally didn’t like writing at night, but due to the looming deadline, she forced herself to. At least she found it easier to write the sad depressing book she had originally planned. She’d been delusional to ever think she could write a rom-com.
“Ready for some more tea?” Lexi held out a fresh cup of steaming chai.
Bronte set her laptop aside and stretched her arms over her head, accepting the cup and letting the scent of ginger and cinnamon warm her insides. “Thanks.”
“How’s it going?”
“At this rate, I might finish a little ahead of what I thought.” Maybe there was something to writing while she wasn’t depressed.
Lexi turned and plopped down in Bronte’s wingback chair, then grabbed a manuscript she’d brought with her. How she didn’t slosh hot tea all over her was an art form. “When can I read it?”
Bronte chewed on her bottom lip. At least this time, thinking of Jonah hadn’t brought tears to her eyes. When would this stop being so hard?
“Uh-oh. What’s that look for?”
Bronte shook her head.
“You’re thinking about him again.” Lexi reached over and squeezed Bronte’s hand. “Aren’t you?”
Bronte cringed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Your face looked like someone just burned your only copy of a manuscript. While you watched.”
“I can’t get him out of my mind, Lex. He was supposed to be my first read.”
Lexi feigned being shocked. “I thought I was always your first read.”
“I know, and it would be so much simpler if I’d just kept it that way. I can’t stop thinking about him. I only knew him for ten days, Lexi. He shouldn’t be so ingrained into my marrow.” Bronte traced a finger around the top of her teacup. “I should have booked it out of there as soon as he walked through the door.”
“If I recall right, there was a massive snowstorm and there wouldn’t have been anywhere for you to go.”
“Well, then I should have locked myself in my room until he left. This all could have been avoided if I’d insisted that we not stay together.”
Lexi studied Bronte over her mug. “I don’t know, Bront. It seems like maybe you were supposed to meet.”
“I don’t believe in fate or destiny or meet-cutes or anything that you’re going to try to talk me into.” Bronte sealed her statement with a gulp of tea. It was scalding, but she bit her tongue to keep from showing the pain.
Lexi waved a hand. “I’m not talking about any of those things. Maybe God wanted you to meet Jonah.”
